Exclusive Interview | Thomas Bernad, Future Leaders 2026
A mechanical engineer by training, Thomas Bernad wasn’t originally headed toward chemistry, but the 26-year-old quickly realised that to successfully develop the first spray paint can propelled by compressed air rather than liquefied petroleum gas, he would need to fully immerse himself in formulation and packaging! Founder of Aerosolution and Be Morpho, Thomas is reinventing aerosols with healthier, cleaner, and more efficient technology.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the packaging industry?
Thomas Bernad – I grew up in a small, family-run industrial business that manufactured spray paints. From a very young age, I was immersed in this world, especially through trade shows, which gave me a very concrete understanding of the industry. Packaging is never neutral — it directly shapes how a product is used.
During my studies and internships, I had access to a laboratory and to experts in formulation and packaging. That’s when I realised how closely chemistry, mechanics and user experience are linked. But my greatest inspiration comes from my father. I’ve always admired his ability to innovate by stepping off the beaten path. Questioning established standards became second nature to me, and that mindset is what pushed me to rethink the spray can from the inside out.
What has been your biggest challenge as a young leader?
Thomas Bernad – The main challenge has been technical. Working with compressed air instead of liquefied gas means dealing with less constant pressure and far more complex atomisation. With paint, dispersion has to be perfectly homogeneous to deliver a clean, high-quality finish.
We had to rebuild the entire system: the geometry of the diffuser, the rheology of the paint, and the pressure dynamics. Nothing could be copied from traditional aerosols. I studied more than 800 formulations to understand how the material behaves and how to control fluidisation at the nozzle.
On top of that, there are business and human challenges. Navigating between small, agile structures and large industrial players demanding high volumes is complex, especially when you’re still refining the technology. And in a sector where decision-makers are often more experienced, my young age can sometimes be perceived as a hurdle — which means I have to prove the concept through performance.
If you could change one misconception about packaging, what would it be?
Thomas Bernad – That packaging is passive. In the aerosol world, it’s exactly the opposite. Packaging is the core of product performance.
The valve, internal pressure, propellant, compatibility with the formulation and the spray pattern all directly shape the user experience, from the quality of the finish to the smoothness of application and overall safety. When you replace fossil propellants with compressed air, you can’t adapt an existing model. You have to reinvent the entire system.
